Health / Ferry cancellations create bottleneck on medication supply
RECENT disruption to the lifeline ferry services is having an impact on the supply of medication, particularly for those with an immediate clinical risk.
NHS Shetland told Shetland News that “urgent and critical medicines continue to be prioritised” adding that services were actively managing the situation “to minimise impact on patient care”.
Local pharmacies normally receive routine stock via the daily ferry sailings to Shetland, but supplies are running low in some cases.
“Pharmacies are contacting anyone affected directly and are working with local health centre teams where there is any immediate clinical risk from medicines not being available as planned,” a spokesperson for NHS Shetland said.
“All pharmacies, including the hospital pharmacy, hold stock to manage short-term disruption.
“Where a medicine is clinically urgent, established arrangements allow medicines to be transported by air. These are used when required.”
The period of continuous and relentless south easterly gales is set to come to an end as of tomorrow (Friday).
And following two days of cancellations the NorthLink ferry Hrossey will heading north from Aberdeen tonight (Thursday), no doubt with some urgent supplies of medication on board.
Meanwhile, recent ferry cancellations have had “no impact” on urgent patient travel, the health board reports.
“Where necessary, NHS Shetland has been able to arrange flights to ensure patients can still attend medical appointments off island,” the NHS spokesperson said.
“For non‑urgent appointments, patients have been offered the option to travel by air or to reschedule their appointments to a later date.”
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